Wave of rage hits borough for a month

May was a month of mayhem with a sudden and unexplained rise in violent crime across Bracknell Forest, say police.

Thames Valley Chief Constable Sarah Thornton told of the increase in “assaults with less serious injury”, at a meeting of Bracknell Forest Council on Wednesday, September 23..

The incidents were alcohol related – but the offenders were drinking at home.

Police figures revealed there was a rise from 64 such assaults in April to 80 in May and then a fall of 21 back to 59 in June.

Chf Con Thornton said police were baffled by the rise, particularly as it did not seemed to be related to drinking in the borough’s nightspots.

She said the sudden rise has contributed to an increase of 1.3 per cent in assaults since last year but added she was still confident at achieving a police target of a three per cent drop by March next year.

She said: “In May, Bracknell became something of a lawless state. There was a large, unexplained rise of violence.

“None of it was connected and, although it was alcohol-related, it wasn’t necessarily related to pubs or bars.